Hospitals under threat – fight goes on

The current plan from the NHS to strip Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals of their A&E units is just not on.

Now that the two local MPs have joined the H&F Council fight against the NHS move, the council has gone a step further. They have drafted in former NHS chief executive, Timothy Rideout, to help scrutinise NHS plans to downgrade the local hospitals.

Pictured above is a recent protest outside the A&E at Hammersmith Hospital as both council and the local MP join forces to fight the closures.

And according to the council, Mr Rideout ‘will work with officials at the town hall to examine the NHS North West London business case and accompanying consultation document – ironically called Shaping a Healthier Future – which proposes a dramatic downgrading of local health services’.

Meanwhile, the NHS is holding a drop-in day on July 28 at Hammersmith Town Hall from 9am to 2:30pm. At 12:30pm, the council is holding a protest against the proposed closures – so get along if you can!

The council is also looking for people to help collect signatures and campaign in the community against these proposals. Download your campaign pack – posters, petitions and postcards – and get more information here: www.savecharingcross.com or www.savehammersmith.com